''A highly original, beautifully crafted literary thriller'' IRISH INDEPENDENT

By a frozen lake, ten-year-old Jesse waits for his father. It''s New Year''s Day, and his dad promised a fresh start. But Jesse messed it all up. And that''s when he meets the woman.

In the months ahead, Vera''s disappearance sets off a chain of events in the small town of Whale Bay, spanning out like fracture lines into the lives of her husband, the detective trying to solve her case, and of Jesse and his family - a young boy cracking like ice under the weight of a terrible secret.

''Stunning .... page-turning and shocking'' JO SPAIN

''Excellent'' DAILY MAIL

''Celona has the courage to take her time and yet she manages to pull off twists worthy of Harlan Coben ... It''s a rarity: a book confected with satisfying artfulness that feels like a slice of real life'' DAILY TELEGRAPH